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ROAD POSITION
- Ride as far to the right of your lane as is safe, but far enough out to avoid being struck by opening car doors.
- Ride in as straight a line as possible so motorists can pass you safely. Do NOT weave in and out between cars.
- Do not pass cars on the right at red lights. It is illegal and forces cars to pass you again when the light changes.
- Do not bunch up at red lights. Stay single file!
RIDE DEFENSIVELY
- Watch for people in the driver’s seat of a parked car. They may open the door suddenly or pull into traffic.
- Always stop and look left-right-left before entering traffic.
- Watch for cars that pass you and cut you off by making an immediate right. Be especially cautious when approaching a parking lot.
- Always ride predictably and in control.
RIDING IN A GROUP
- Ride single file and keep a straight line. Riding two abreast is illegal and people have been ticketed.
- Always pass other riders on the left, calling out "ON YOUR LEFT!" BEFORE you pass. Passing on the right can force the other rider into traffic. It is the responsibility of the person doing the passing to be sure that it is safe to move further left into the lane.
- When stopping, use either the open palm signal to tell the next rider you are about to stop, or call out "STOPPING," or "SLOWING."
WHAT ARE UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS:
- All medical situations need to have universal precautions taken. This means any person being tended to at an accident scene should be treated as if they might be infected with a blood-transmittable disease.
- All persons involved should be wearing gloves and, if possible, a mask.
- All blood-tainted materials should be contained and disposed of properly. In case of an accident, a training ride leader should be notified by beeper, cell phone, or rider.
WHAT TO DO:
- If a rider is cut or bruised and can help themselves, they should do so. They should bag their own medical waste (bandages, tape, etc.) and dispose of properly.
- Do not move a rider who is down. Allow Emergency Medical Technicians to handle these situations. Call 911 as soon as possible.
- Stay calm and reassure the rider that help is on the way.
- If anyone has any allergies that might flare up on a ride, such as a bee-sting allergy, they should notify a ride leader.
HIV+ RIDERS:
- HIV+ Riders are aware of proper universal precautions and can and will act accordingly.
- Any HIV+ rider who is hurt or down should notify their ride leader(s) of their situation. Confidentiality will be taken seriously and handled professionally.
- If we take time to understand these safety measures, no one will be inadvertently infected or harmed.
FINALLY
- Describe the ride: speed, terrain, first rest stop, etc.
[ask who amongst the riders has a cell phone ]
- Stress the importance of following the turnsheets.
[ask who has never been on an organized training ride before ]
- Describe point and drop
[ask who in the group doesn't know what that is ]
- Stress that we are a community of riders who not only look out for our own safety, but the safety of others as well.
[ask what is the longest bike ride they have been on in the last 2 weeks]
- Let riders know they can approach you with questions and concerns.
- Make riders aware of any other intricacies of your ride.
[not yo momma]
- Inform riders they must have the following items with them to ride: helmet, spare tube, pump, ID, money, water, snacks, patch kit and first aid kit.
[ask who has not had their breakfast / food this morning ]
- Re-introduce leader, sweeps, and middle. Describe their roles.
- First aid kit should contain: Band-Aids, alcohol prep, betadine, gauze, ace bandage, ice pack.
- Take 5 minutes to stretch.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
If an emergency arises during a ride, the Ride Office AND the Training Committee MUST be notified as soon as possible. Please call the following numbers:
- Ride Office 1-800/825-1000 / 212/242-7433
- T. Richard 917-548-9595
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